Cole Memorial’s Patients Can Now Access UPMC CancerCenter’s Expertise under New Affiliation

COUDERSPORT, PA— Starting January 12, residents of the Twin Tiers won’t have to go far to receive world-renowned cancer care. They’ll have access to UPMC CancerCenter’s advanced clinical care and the latest research, close to home, under a new affiliation agreement with the Patterson Cancer Center located on Cole Memorial’s campus.

“The staff of the Patterson Cancer Center at Cole Memorial has a long history of providing evidenced-based cancer care for residents of north central Pennsylvania,” said Cole Memorial’s President and Chief Executive Officer Ed Pitchford. “This new affiliation will link Cole with UPMC, an international research based organization.  By doing so, we will deploy the same support programs and use the same researched based protocols afforded cancer patients at other UPMC CancerCenter locations.”

The local management, physicians and staff will remain at Cole Memorial however they will now have a professional, formal collaborative relationship with oncology colleagues at UPMC CancerCenter, a partner with the University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute, the only National Cancer Institute-designated comprehensive cancer center in western Pennsylvania.

For almost 15 years Cole Memorial’s cancer services team has provided high-quality care to patients in north central Pennsylvania. By teaming up, the Patterson Cancer Center will become the 43^rd member of the UPMC CancerCenter global network which leads the way in the prevention, detection, diagnosis and treatment of cancer.

“Patients who are undergoing cancer treatments shouldn’t have to travel far away from home. Affiliations like the one with the Patterson Cancer Center at Cole Memorial ensure that patients have access to the best possible care while they stay in the communities where they live,” said Stanley Marks, M.D., chairman of UPMC CancerCenter.

Hans Baerwald, MD, board certified radiation oncologist at the Patterson Cancer Center in Coudersport said, “Our affiliation with UPMC is a great opportunity for patients and our staff can continue expanding their knowledge base.”

In addition to Dr. Baerwald, the Patterson Center’s providers include Serge Dauphin, M.D., David Moylan, III, M.D., William Muuse, M.D., and Michele Wooten, A.O.C.N.P., C.R.N.P.

The Patterson Cancer Center in affiliation with UPMC CancerCenter offers comprehensive cancer care including a variety of services, such as chemotherapy, biotherapy, immunotherapy, bone marrow biopsies, blood transfusions, IV therapy infusions, intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) and image-guided radiotherapy (IGRT). Support services for patients include: Free cancer screenings, support groups, the American Cancer Society’s Look Good, Feel Better program and lending library with health education resources.

For more information about the Patterson Cancer Center, call 814-260-5208 or visit www.colememorial.org. To learn more about UPMC CancerCenters, visit the network’s website at www.upmccancercenter.com.

Cole Memorial, a recipient of four Achievement Awards from The Hospital and Healthsystem Association of Pennsylvania and a national Top Performer on Key Quality Measures by The Joint Commission, serves over 60,000 residents within a 65-mile service area with its network of 12 community health care centers in Potter, Cameron, McKean and Tioga Counties in Pennsylvania plus, Allegany and Cattaraugus Counties in New York.

For details, visit www.colememorial.org.